Pattern cylinder for knitting machines



Jun 28 1927.

e w. s. PARKER PATTERN CYLINDER FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 25, 1924 M Hing Patented June 28. 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

wnmnx 8. rm 0] ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO BUBSON KNITTING 001- rm, 0] ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 01' ILLINOIS.

PATTERN CYLINDER FOB KNITTING MACHINE.

Application fled Inc 25,

This invention relates to straight knitting machines and has more particular reference to pattern cylinderstherefor. In certa n types of these machines as for example m t e Burson Patent No. 616,601, the pattern cylinder is made u of a series of (1150 pattern plates secur together between opposed heads on a central shaft. These lates control a series of jack-operatmg evers which in turn cause the needles to be brough controlling the pattern of the knitting. With this construction the pattern of the knitting cannot be changed except by making an entirely new set of (1180 pattern plates or an entirely new pattern cylinder, which is ve expensive because it involves a consideral iib amount of time, labor and material.

The primary purpose of the present 1nvention is to improve the construction of pattern cylinders with the view to rmitting changes in patterns at considera 1y less cost than was heretofore ssible. To this end I have provided a cylinder having segmental pattem plates which are read1 y removable and interchangeable. In the resent embodiment of my invention I ave provided plural series or sections of segmental pattern plates any series or section of which may be removedand another series substituted therefor without dismantling the cylinder or disturbing the other series or sections. I have also aimed to provide suitable means for aligning the pattern plates in one section with those in the adjoining sections.

Another purpose is to provide 1n a pattern cylinder segmental pattern lates suitably attached to the cylinder so t at an or all may be removed and replaced by ot ers in the event that replacement is required because of wear or injury or because it is desired to change the pattern.

Another purpose is to so construct the pattern plates that they may be produced at a considerably less cost than the disc plates heretofore used.

Other objects and attendant advan s will be appreciated byetcahose skilled in t is art as the invention omes better understood by reference to the "ollowing descri tion when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in whicht into and out of action, thereby 1984. Serial No. 722,197.

Figure 1, is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view through a attern cylinder, partly in elevation, embo ying my invention; I

Fig. 2, is a cross-sectional view through the cylinder taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the segment A taken on the section line A-A of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3, is a detail view of one of the pattern segments.

In the drawings I have illustrated but a single workin embodiment of my invention, the cylin er shown being particularly adapted for a straight knitting machine of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned patent. It should be understood however that my invention is not limited to the particular construction shown, but contemplates broadly the provision of a pattern cylinder having segmental pattern lates an of which may be removed an replaced by others, for the purpose herein set forth.

Referring more particularly to the drawings it will be observed that I have provided a cylindrical drum 4 ada ted to be suitably mounted on a drive sha t (not shown), as

b means of spiders 5. On the periphery of t is drum is mounted plural series, six at present, of se ental pattern plates, each pattern plate fi ing of the character shown in Fig. 3. In the present exam 1e each series of pattern plates is compose 0 comparatively high and low aplates 6 and 7 respectivel arranged in ternation so that one of t e toes of each jack-o rating lever will ride in the groove forme between adjoining hi h plates, as described in said patent. e pattern plates of each series are detachably secured to the periphe of the drum so that any one series of il ates may be removed without disturbing the other. The plates are also so mounted that the may be brought into proper ali ent wit plates of ad]oinin series so t at the jack-operating levers wil properly function. The particular shape of the periphery of the respective pattern plates 6 and 7 is immaterial so far as the resent invention is concerned except that t e lates may be of determined shalpe to p uce any desimd ttern. It wi be here noted that in the gitting of hosiery the pattern or shape of rtain portions 0 the sock or stocking may be changed independently of the remainder of the stocking simpl by the substitution of one or more series 0 pattern plates as contemplated by the present invention.

The means for detachably securing the several series of segmental pattern plates on the cylinder will now be described. In the present embodiment of my invention I em loy a plurality of ribs 8 set into the peri ery of the cylinder drum 4 extendim longitudinally substantially from end to en thereof. In this embodiment the ribs 8 are set into grooves 9 in the drum and are retained therein by suitable fastening means such as machine screws 11. The projecting portion of each rib is dove-tail in cross-section. Each of the segmental pattern plates (land 7 is shaped at its ends as at 12 to fit between any two adjoining ribs 8 so as to be retained thereby against displacement except lengthwise of the cylinder. The plates seat on the periphery of the cylinder and are slidable lengthwise thereon for mountin removal and adjustment. The ends of t e plates of each series abut against those of the adjoining series so that when the plates of such adjoining series are in alignment they will provide continuous annular grooves around the cylinder for guiding and controlling the jack-operating levers.

Suitable means may be provided for holding the pattern plates against displacement endwise of the cylinder, for clamping the plates together by endwise or axial pressure and for carrying such pressure at dif-= ferent points throughout the length of the respective series for the purpose of aligning the plates of each series with those of the adjoining series. In the present instance I have provided a stationary head 13 at one end of the cylinder, which has formed integrally therewith a driving gear 14. On the opposite end of the cylinder I have mounted a segmental head comprising segments 15 forming, a ring having an annular groove 16 which receives the adjacent end of the cylinder drum. Each head segment 15 is detachably secured to the drum by a plurality of machine screws 17. Between each head segment 15 and each series of pattern plates is interposed a segmental pressure plate 18 adapted to be pressed against the end pattern plate by a plurality of adjusting screws 19 (three at present) whereby the pattern plates interposed between the head 13 and the pressure plate 18 may be clamped together.

It will be manifest that b adjustment of the screws 19 each series 0 pattern plat/es 'may be adjusted by lengthwise pressure in the line of any of its screws 19 for aligning its plates with respect to those of the adjoining series. Upon removing any head segment 15 its series of segmental pattern plates may be withdrawn from the open end of the cylinder independently of and without disturbing the adjoining series, as is desired for reasons above mentioned. It will also be manifest that the segmental pattern plates require in their manufacture considerably less material than the disc pattern plates heretofore used and that replacement of any one or more of the se mental pattern plates may be made at considerably less cost than a corresponding replacement of disc plates.

It is believed that the foregoing conveys a clear understanding of the objects prefaced above and while I have illustrated but a single working embodiment it should be understood that changes might be made in the construction and arrangement of the cylinder and pattern plates and in the mechanical expedients exployed for securing the plates in position, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, in which I claim:

1. A pattern cylinder comprising a drum, plural series of elongated segmental pattern plates detachably mounted on the periphery of the drum, eachof said plates being peripherally contoured to a predetermined desired form, and means for holding the plates of the different series in end to end alignment.

2. A pattern cylinder having plural series of segmental pattern plates bunched side by side, any series of which may be removed and replaced by another series, and means for fastening the plates in place so that the plates of the different series are held in end to end alignment.

3. A pattern cylinder comprising a drum, segmental pattern plates arranged in separate bunches in recesses on the periphery of the drum to form annular guiding grooves, and means detachably securing the pattern lates so that the different series are held In predetermineddesired endwise alignment.

4. A pattern cylinder comprising a drum, means for retaining plural series of segmental pattern plates on the periphery of the drum from radial and circumferential displacement but permitting endwise removal of any series independently of the others, and means for detachably holding said plates in assembled relation so that the plates of the different series lie in end to end alignment.

5. A pattern cylinder comprising a drum, plural series of segmental pattern plates detachably mounted on the periphery of the drum, and means for adjusting the plates in any series axially into alignment end for end with respect to the plates in the adjoining series.

6. A pattern cylinder com rising a drum, and plural series of segmenta pattern plates detachably mounted on the periphery of the drum, means for putting said pattern plates under pressure axially of the drum, and means for varying the axial pressure on the respective series of pattern plates.

7. A pattern cylinder having plural series of segmental pattern plates any series of which may be removed and replaced by another series, means for clamping said pattern plates collectively endwise on the cylinder, and means for varying the endwise clamping pressure of each series independcntly of the others.

8. A pattern cylinder comprising a drum having circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending ribs, a series of segmental pattern plates guided on each pair of adjoining ribs so as to be slidable thereon lengthwise of the cylinder, and means for clamping the segmental pattern plates on the cylinder.

9. A pattern cylinder comprising a drum, means for retaining plural series of segmental pattern plates on the periphery of the drum from.radial and circumferential displacement but permitting endwise removal of any series independently of the other, and means for aligning the segmental pattern plates of each series with those of the adjoining series.

10. A pattern cylinder for a knitting machine comprising a drum, a plurality of rib pieces for said drum having a dovetailed cross-section at the outer face extending from a rectangular cross-section at the inner face,

said drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending grooves for the reception of said ribs, a bolt for each of said grooves having threaded re ception in said ribs for detachably mounting the same on said drum, and arcuate-shaped thin metal pattern elements having semidovetail shaped notches at opposite ends in the internal peripheral edge for engagement between adjoining ribs on said drum, and having the outer peripheral edge contoured to a predetermined desired pattern.

11. A pattern cylinder for a knitting machine comprising a drum, a plurality of rib pieces for said drum having a dovetailed cross-section at the outer face extending from a rectangular cross-section at the inner face, said drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending grooves for the reception of said ribs, a bolt for each of said ooves having threaded reception in said I'lbS for detachably mounting the same on said drum, arcuate-shaped thin metal pattern elements having semi-dovetail shaped notches at opposite ends in the internal peripheral edge for engagement between adjoining ribs on said drum, and having the outer peripheral edge contoured to a predetermined desired pattern, and an end plate mounted on said drum having adjusting screws for engagement with said pattern elements between each of the pairs of ribs.

WILLIAM S. PARKER. 

